Consumption of nutrients with antioxidant action and its relationship with lipid profile and oxidative stress in student users of a university restaurant.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between diet and health has aroused scientific interest, especially the consumption of antioxidant nutrients naturally present in foods, because of its action against the deleterious effects of free radicals in the body. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the intake of antioxidant nutrients and its relationship with lipid profile and oxidative stress in student users of a university restaurant in comparison with non-users. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 145 university students divided into two groups: users of the university restaurant (group 1, n = 73) and non-users (group 2, n = 72). We measured body mass index and waist circumference, and estimated the intake of antioxidant micronutrients. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Intake of copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamin C were within the recommendations in both groups, and vitamins A and E were below the reference values. There was a correlation between the intake of vitamin C and triglycerides. Group 1 members had better dietary patterns in relation to antioxidant micronutrients, reflecting less atherogenic lipid profile and lower exposure to oxidative stress compared to group 2.

Consumption of nutrients with antioxidant action and its relationship with lipid profile and oxidative stress in student users of a university restaurant / El consumo de nutrientes con acción antioxidante y su relación con el perfil lipídico y el estrés oxidativo en los estudiantes usuarios del restaurante de una universidad

Introduction: The relationship between diet and health has aroused scientific interest, especially the consumption of antioxidant nutrients naturally present in foods, because of its action against the deleterious effects of free radicals in the body. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the intake of antioxidant nutrients and its relationship with lipid profile and oxidative stress in student users of a university restaurant in comparison with non-users. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 145 university students divided into two groups: users of the university restaurant (group 1, n = 73) and non-users (group 2, n = 72). We measured body mass index and waist circumference, and estimated the intake of antioxidant micronutrients. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde were determined. Results and conclusion: Intake of copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamin C were within the recommendations in both groups, and vitamins A and E were below the reference values. There was a correlation between the intake of vitamin C and triglycerides. Group 1 members had better dietary patterns in relation to antioxidant micronutrients, reflecting less atherogenic lipid profile and lower exposure to oxidative stress compared to group 2 (AU)

Introducción: la relación entre la dieta y la salud ha despertado interés científico, especialmente en lo referente al consumo de nutrientes antioxidantes presentes de forma natural en los alimentos, debido a su acción contra los efectos nocivos de los radicales libres en el cuerpo. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la ingesta de nutrientes antioxidantes y su relación con el perfil lipídico y el estrés oxidativo en estudiantes usuarios de un restaurante universitario, en comparación con los no usuarios. Métodos: este es un estudio transversal que incluye 145 estudiantes universitarios, divididos en dos grupos: los usuarios del restaurante universitario (grupo 1, n = 73) y no usuarios (grupo 2, n = 72). Fueron medidos el índice de masa corporal y la circunferencia de la cintura, y se estimó la ingesta de micronutrientes antioxidantes. Se determinaron las concentraciones séricas de colesterol total, colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad, colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad, los niveles de triglicéridos y las concentraciones plasmáticas de malondialdehído. Resultados y conclusiones: la ingesta de cobre, zinc, selenio y la vitamina C se encontraba dentro de las recomendaciones de los dos grupos, y la de vitaminas A y E estaba por debajo de los valores de referencia. Hubo una correlación entre el consumo de vitamina C y los triglicéridos. Miembros del grupo 1 mostraron mejores patrones dietéticos en relación con micronutrientes antioxidantes, lo que refleja menos perfil lipídico aterogénico y una menor exposición al estrés oxidativo en comparación con el grupo 2 (AU)

Status do Zinco e sua Relação com Biomarcadores de Risco Cardiovascular / Zinc Status of and its Association to Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers

Fundamento: A ação antioxidante de alguns nutrientes é importante na proteção vascular. O zinco, em particular, tem sido associado a um risco reduzido de aterosclerose, acidente vascular cerebral e trombose.Objetivo: O estudo avaliou o status do zinco e sua relação com biomarcadores de risco cardiovascular em adultos saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 186 estudantes universitários de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 20 e 30 anos, selecionados através de amostra por conveniência. As medições dos biomarcadores de risco cardiovascular incluíram o perfil lipídico, o índice de Castelli I e II e circunferência da cintura. O zinco dietético foi avaliado por registro alimentar de três dias utilizando o programa NutWin versão 1.6.0.7. As concentrações plasmáticas e de eritrócitos do mineral foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com chama. O perfil lipídico foi determinado pelo método enzimático colorimétrico. Resultados: Os valores médios do consumo de zinco estavam superiores à NME (Necessidade Média Estimada) em ambos os sexos. Os participantes apresentaram concentrações médias de zinco no plasma e eritrócitos inferiores aos pontos de corte. Os valores médios do perfil lipídico, índice de Castelli I e II, e circunferência da cintura estavam adequados. Houve correlação negativa entre o zinco dietético e colesterol total e triglicérides. Conclusões: Os participantes têm uma ingestão elevada de zinco e apresentam concentrações plasmáticas e eritrocitárias reduzidas do mineral. Além disso, esse estudo revelou uma associação negativa entre a ingestão de zinco dietético e o colesterol total e triglicérides, biomarcadores do risco cardiovascular, sugerindo a importância do zinco na proteção contra doenças cardiovasculares

Background: The antioxidant action of some nutrients is important in vascular protection. Zinc, particularly, has been associated with reduced risk of atherosclerosis, stroke and thrombosis. Objective: The study evaluated zinc status and its association to cardiovascular risk biomarkers in healthy adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 186 university students of both genders, aged between 20 and 30 years, selected using the convenience sampling method. The cardiovascular risk biomarker measurements included the lipid profile, Castelli index I and II, and waist circumference. Zinc analysis was performed by a three-days food record using NutWin program version 1.6.0.7. Plasma and erythrocyte mineral concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The lipid profile was determined by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Results: The mean values of zinc intake were higher than the EAR in both genders. Participants had mean plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations lower than the cutoff points. The mean values of the lipid profile, Castelli index I and II, and waist circumference were adequate. There was a negative correlation between dietary zinc and total cholesterol and triglycerides. Conclusions: The participants have a high dietary zinc intake and reduced plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of this mineral. Additionally, this study showed a negative association between zinc dietary intake and total cholesterol and triglycerides, biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, suggesting the importance of zinc in protecting against cardiovascular disease

Effectiveness of an educational intervention to reduce the consumption of high-calorie foods in public school children in Teresina, Piauí (Brazil) / Efectividad de una intervención educativa sobre el consumo de alimentos altos en calorías por niños de escuelas públicas de Teresina, Piauí (Brasil)

Introduction: there is high prevalence of overweight and poor food habits among adolescents, and these factors contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention designed to reduce the consumption of high-calorie foods in public school children in Teresina, Piaui, Brazil. Materials and methods: quasi-experimental, randomized, quantitative intervention study involving adolescents (n = 126) of both sexes aged 10–14 years. An educational intervention, which involved 9 weekly meetings, was developed. A questionnaire was completed prior and subsequent to the intervention. Associations between variables were examined using a chi-square test (x2). Results and discussion: there was a significant reduction in the consumption of soft drinks and processed juices subsequent to the educational intervention (p = 0.007). It has further reduction in weekly consumption of food like meat and sausage (p = 0.072). Adolescents’ weekly consumption of fried foods and potato chips also decreased significantly subsequent to the educational intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions: the food and nutrition educational program was efficacious in reducing the adolescents’ intake of high-calorie food and drinks and contributed to an improvement in the quality of food consumed by the schoolchildren evaluated (AU)

Introducción: existe una alta prevalencia de sobrepeso y hábitos alimentarios pobres entre los adolescentes, y estos factores contribuyen al desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de una intervención educativa diseñada para reducir el consumo de alimentos con alto contenido calórico en los niños de las escuelas públicas en Teresina, Piauí (Brasil). Material y métodos: estudio cuasi-experimental, aleatorizados y de intervención cuantitativo realizado con adolescentes (n = 126), con edades comprendidas entre 10 y 14 años, de ambos sexos. La intervención educativa se desarrolló durante nueve semanas, con reuniones semanales. Se realizó una encuesta previa y posterior a la intervención. Las asociaciones entre las variables fueron examinadas usando una prueba de chi-cuadrado (x2). Resultados: se observó una reducción significativa en el consumo de refrescos y jugos procesados posterior a la intervención educativa (p = 0,007). Tiene una mayor reducción en el consumo semanal de alimentos embutidos (p = 0,072). El consumo semanal de los adolescentes de alimentos fritos y patatas fritas también se redujo significativamente después de la intervención educativa (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: el programa educativo de alimentación y nutrición fue eficaz en la reducción de la ingesta de alimentos altos en calorías y bebidas de los adolescentes, lo cual contribuyó a una mejora en la calidad de los alimentos consumidos por los niños de las escuelas evaluadas (AU)